Coco Palms Development vs Community – Summary and Update
The statements made by the Kauaʻi Council Chair on May 10th and supported by a clear majority of Council members, combined with the public statements made by the State BLNR Chair making it clear the department is taking seriously it’s enforcement responsibility – represent a huge and positive shift in the conversation surrounding Wailuanuiahōʻano and the proposed Coco Palms Hotel development.
We should give Council Chair Mel Rapozo and BLNR Chair Dawn Chang a huge mahalo, take a moment to give high-fives all around to every council member, and then get back to work and not stop pressing forward until the community wins.
I Ola Wailuanui (IOW), is a nonprofit community based organization led by indigenous lineal descendants of the original occupants of these lands strongly opposed to the commercial or hotel/resort development on this site. IOW’s vision is one of stewardship and inclusivity. Please help them today with an online contribution if you can. No contribution is too small.
The Wailuanuiahōʻano district of Kauaʻi, including the lands of the former Coco Palms Resort is a unique and sacred area. It is the birthplace of Hawaiian royalty and was once the social, political and religious center of Kauaʻi.
On May 10th, the Kauaʻi County Council during a marathon meeting, heard from the Chair of the State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), the Kauaʻi County Planning Director, and numerous members of the public.
Read media reports of the meeting here.
The message was loud and clear.
The past 30 years have seen one developer after another attempt and fail to rebuild a resort on this site. The current Utah based LLC is currently under investigation by the State DLNR for noncompliance with numerous lease/permit conditions. Likewise the County Planning Department is investigating other allegations of permit violations.
Chair Rapozo declared during this meeting his intent to seek “condemnation by eminent domain” saying the property should be purchased by the County possibly with help from the State and others.
On Wednesday, May 31st there was also a Council Resolution passed supporting public access to the adjacent State owned parcels rather than only for the benefit of the Coco Palms hotel developers.
Mahalo to Council Members Felicia Cowden and KipuKai Kualiʻi for introducing and championing this successfully through the process!
IOW also has legal action now pending before the court to require the developer’s compliance with State laws governing environmental review. IOW is also asking the County of Kauaʻi to implement a cease and desist action against the developer until they comply with existing County and State laws.
While many in the community have already stepped up to help, IOW remains $8,000 short of their June 7th goal. The upcoming court hearing and a pending but as yet unscheduled BLNR meeting are both expected to be held in June on Oʻahu – your online contribution will help cover basic legal and related costs.
The vast majority of IOW work is done by volunteers, but there are unavoidable basic ongoing administrative and legal expenses. June represents a potentially significant turning point and donations prior to June 7 are especially important.
While I believe a majority in our community enthusiastically welcome and applaud the County’s commitment, the ultimate success of this effort cannot be assumed nor taken for granted. Thus, we all need to step up and the help now more than ever.